WEBVTT >> IT'S JUST A TERRIBLE FEELING,IT DOESN'T FEEL REAL. MARIA: THE REALITY OF HISBROTHER'S DEATH HAS NOT SET INFOR DREW MAIER.THE MAIER'S WERE QUADRUPLETS ANDTHE SIBLINGS WALKED ACROSS THEGRADUATION STAGE THIS MAY FROMDALLAS CENTER GRIMES HIGHSCHOOL.EXCEPT FOR DREW WHO WAS IN A BADCAR ACCIDENT THE DAY OFGRADUATION.>> I COULDN'T WALK ON STAGE SOHE BROUGHT ME MY DIPLOMA RIGHTAFTER MY SURGERIES>> WORDS CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN.MARIA: THIS IS A PICTURE OFASHTON THE NIGHT BEFORE HEDROWNED IN LAKE PANORAMA.SATURDAY MORNING HE WAS KAYAKINGWITH 3 OTHER FRIENDS WHEN HISKAYAK FLIPPED OVER.>> THEY DIDN'T HEAR A SPLASH ANDHE WAS UNDER FOR TOO MUCH TIME. MARIA: HE HAS HAD SEIZURES INTHE PAST, AND WHILE HE HADN'THAD ONE IN ALMOST THREE YEARS,HIS FAMILY IS GUESSING THATMIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE.>> WE'RE GUESSING.BUT WE THINK OUT OF THE BLUE HEHAD A SEIZURE. MARIA: ASHTON DID HAVE A LIFEJACKET WITH HIM BUT HE WAS NOTWEARING IT.THE IOWA DNR WANTS TO REMINDPEOPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OFPUTTING ON LIFE JACKETS>> NO MATTER HOW YOUNG AND HOWFIT YOU ARE WATER ISUNFORGIVING, IT'S RELENTLESS,IT'S DANGEROUS. MARIA: HIS FATHER, WANTSASHTON'S SIBLINGS TO MOVEFORWARD AND MAKE ASHTON PROUD>> I TOLD THEM YESTERDAY IN THEHOSPITAL AND I'VE TOLD THEMBEFORE I SAY WHAT YOU DO NOW ISYOU HONOR HIM BY MAKING HIM

Members of a small-town community are remembering the life of a vibrant young man who died this weekend in a kayaking accident on Lake Panorama. It is heartache for a tightknit family as Americans celebrate Father’s Day.

Ashton Maier, 19, had just graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes Community High School in May and had plans to take business courses at Des Moines Area Community College and to travel as much as he could.

But those big dreams were cut short in a tragic accident in Guthrie County. While on a kayaking outing with friends, Maier somehow fell into the water and didn’t resurface for some time, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said.

His father, Ben Maier, said his son was “a natural” in the water and speculated that he could have suffered a seizure before drowning, but the exact cause of death remains unknown.

Bystanders found Maier's body and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. DNR officials said Maier wasn’t wearing a personal flotation device, but one was in his kayak.

The family thanked first responders for performing CPR so they could say their farewells while he was still alive. Jeremy King, a conservation officer with the DNR, responded to the scene and said he’s never seen similar circumstances in his 13 years with the department.

“It’s a relatively shallow cove, 6 to 7 feet deep maybe, soft bottom,” King said. “There’s a lot of question marks that we just aren’t sure of right now.”

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Ashton Maier was flown to Medical Mercy Center in Des Moines, where he was put on life support so friends and families could say their final goodbyes. He died Saturday evening.

“I just wish I could hold him one more time and tell him how much I love him,” said his brother, Drew Maier. “It was supposed to be us quadruplets against the world, but it’s only three now and God gained a beautiful angel.”

Family members said they will miss his kindheartedness and laugh the most.

“I’m never going to get that again,” Drew Maier said, holding back tears. “He was my best friend and a lot of people loved him, definitely the people of Grimes. It’s just sad that he only graduated and now he’s gone.”

On graduation day, Drew Maier couldn’t walk on stage to receive his diploma because of recent surgeries, so his brother and best friend brought it to him -- a small example, family members said, of his selflessness and caring spirit.

“Whenever we had a problem -- I mean, I’m with him every day -- we would argue and bicker for the stupidest reasons, but no matter what, he always saw good in me. He’d push me to do everything better,” Drew Maier said.

“It’s just a terrible feeling; it doesn’t feel real,” he said.

Ashton Maier loved the water. He was a lifeguard and an adventurer.

Family members said they are considering donating Maier’s eyes “because he would have done the same thing.”

“Ashton got along with everybody,” Ben Maier said. “He had this unique ability to size up a situation and know that you just got to handle it.”

Counselors will be available at Dallas Center-Grimes Community High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of our recent graduate, Ashton Maier. Counselors will be present at the HS from 9-3 tomorrow.

The city of Grimes posted on its official Facebook page: “Our hearts are broken as we send our thoughts and prayers out to the Maier family. The family said their goodbyes after Ashton was on life support after a kayaking accident. Wrap your positive thoughts and prayers around the family, friends and the entire Class of 2017. Nobody should have to say goodbye this soon.”